Construct a user-centred design (UCD) research plan by defining the research purpose and target users, then selecting suitable methods for collecting and analysing user data. The plan must show how evidence will identify genuine user needs and inform design decisions.
Begin with a focused research question linked to the design context. For example: “What difficulties do students with limited hand mobility experience when using reusable water bottles?” This is stronger than asking what product users want because UCD investigates behaviours, experiences, needs and limitations.
Identify representative primary users and relevant secondary users. Use a sampling strategy that recruits suitable participants rather than relying only on convenient respondents such as classmates.
| Plan element | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Research purpose | Information needed and how it will support design decisions |
| Participants | User characteristics, sample size and recruitment method |
| Research methods | Interviews, questionnaires, observations, focus groups or user trials |
| Data required | Qualitative data, such as opinions, and quantitative data, such as completion times |
| Procedure | Location, sequence, equipment, questions and researcher responsibilities |
| Ethics | Informed consent, privacy, anonymity and the right to withdraw |
| Data analysis | Responses coded, compared, graphed or converted into requirements |
| Logistics | Timeline, resources, responsibilities and possible limitations |
Use method triangulation where appropriate. Observation may reveal that users struggle to grip a bottle cap, interviews can explain why, and timed trials can measure the difficulty. Comparing evidence from several methods improves the reliability and usefulness of findings.